Mounted Diesel Generators – Essential Equipment for a Refrigerated Container

A refrigerated container cannot be connected to the power supply of a truck or train, so it requires autonomous electricity. To prevent thawing of the cargo during transportation, reefer containers are equipped with diesel generators (gensets).

A mounted container diesel generator (GenSet) is a device that supplies electricity to a refrigerated container. It consists of a diesel engine and an electric generator.

Gensets can also be used to continuously power the container’s cooling unit or as a backup power source for warehouse facilities.

Types of Diesel Generators (Gensets)

Diesel equipment for reefer containers can vary by:

• manufacturer;
• power output;
• tank capacity;
• mounting method on the container.

The choice of a specific genset depends on the container type and transportation duration.

Genset Manufacturers

Many manufacturers produce generator equipment, but two brands have led the genset market for years:

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• Carrier Transicold Ltd;
• Thermo King Corporation.

The first brand is known for its high reliability, ease of repair, and a wide range of spare parts available in the CIS market.

The second brand is popular worldwide due to excellent adaptation to any climate. It also offers high-power models suitable for 40-foot and larger reefer containers.

Both brands are widely used in domestic transportation. Our company provides maintenance and servicing of diesel units and has experienced specialists familiar with the design of these models.

Technical Specifications of Gensets

Technical specifications of diesel generators vary depending on the manufacturer and model. Some parameters are common for all types:

• fuel type – diesel;
• voltage – required for the operation of the cooling system;
• tank capacity – calculated for 100+ hours of autonomous operation without refueling;
• installation type – mounted equipment;
• maintenance – once a year or after 1000 operating hours.

It is clear that generator specifications strongly depend on the size of the refrigerated container and the power of the cooling unit.

How Long Can a Diesel Generator Operate on a Reefer Container?

Gensets are diesel generators, which operate until their service life is exhausted. During their lifespan, they undergo major repairs 2–3 times. The first repair occurs after about 23–25 thousand operating hours. The restored resource after repair is around 70%, so the next operation period lasts about 16–17 thousand hours. Thus, the total operating time of the generator is around 50 thousand hours.

Maintenance

Performing maintenance on diesel generators on schedule significantly extends their service life. Maintenance schedules are set by the manufacturer and can be routine or daily.

Daily maintenance includes:

• external inspection;
• checking and correcting diagnostic program errors;
• monitoring fluid levels;
• checking fasteners.

Routine maintenance is performed once a year, after 100, 250, 500, and 1000 operating hours, and includes:

• checking and refilling engine oil;
• checking the battery;
• draining the tank;
• checking fasteners;
• visual inspection of cooling system lines;
• checking drive belt tension;
• fuel filter check;
• refilling coolant;
• diagnosing generator operation.

All maintenance ends with running the generator at idle and filling out the diagnostic card.

Other maintenance repeats these procedures, with an additional oil filter replacement. After 500 hours, the fuel filter is replaced, and after 1000 hours, the air filter is replaced.

To extend generator life in cold climates, seasonal maintenance is performed, including replacing lubricants and other fluids suitable for the season.

Conclusion

Mounted diesel generators for refrigerated containers are essential equipment that helps businesses avoid losses caused by temperature violations. Their use on long routes and as backup power in warehouses justifies the investment.

If purchasing is not possible, a diesel generator (genset) can be rented, which is even more cost-effective. This is a practical solution if the company does not transport such products regularly.